In midst of moving and selling our house, I've been facing the nature of living by faith and what it's supposed to look like. While I desire to obey God's lead, I also don't want to take reckless steps under the false assumption that God is leading me into them.

For me, living by faith includes listening for the voice of God, hearing God's direction, and then obeying. Sometimes we hear God speak through scripture as we read it, but other times we quiet ourselves in moments of prayer, allowing God to communicate with us.

It's not quite possible to obey God unless you know what God desires. We can't know what God desires unless we pray and immerse ourselves in the biblical narrative. Therefore, integrating these practices are two key components to living by faith.

However, once we think the Holy Spirit is directing us, what should we do next? While I often take steps to obey God's leading, sometimes I'm not quite sure if I heard God correctly or am set on the correct course of action. I don't want to do something reckless, assuming that God is pushing me in that direction.

In such a scenario of uncertainty about the way forward I often seek confirmation with a trusted family member or friend. Whether choosing a realtor, figuring out the particulars of my new career, or figuring out the timing for renting an apartment, I've been regularly asking God for leading and then checking in with fellow believers for prayer and counsel.

It is of primary importance to me that in Acts 13:1-3 Paul and Barnabas were fasting and worshiping the Lord with a group of believers when the Holy Spirit directed them to take their first missionary journey. Even after that word of direction came, they continued to fast and pray before sending the two of them off.

Christian community plays a key in helping us determine the leading of God and the steps he calls us to take. While we are responsible for our own study of scripture and quiet moments of prayer, believers all share in the same Spirit of God and should take every advantage to seek the leading of God's Spirit together, especially when we face important decisions.

Ed Cyzewski is a writer and speaker, author of Coffeehouse Theology, and blogger at www.inamirrordimly.com and www.edcyz.com.